Commentary: Fight bigotry with more speech

By JOHN STOSSELCreators Syndicate Published: May 12, 2014 4:00 AM

When the NBA banned racist team owner Donald Sterling, some said: "What about free speech? Can't a guy say what he thinks anymore?"

The answer: yes, you can. But the free market may punish you. In America today, the market punishes racists aggressively.

This punishment is not "censorship." Censorship is something only governments can do. Writers complain that editors censor what they write. But that's not censorship; that's editing.

It's fine if the NBA -- or any private group -- wants to censor speech on its own property. People who attend games or work for the NBA agreed to abide by its rules. Likewise, Fox is free to fire me if they don't like what I say. That's the market in action, reflecting preferences of owners and customers.

But it's important that government not have the power to silence us. We have lots of companies, colleges and sports leagues. If one orders us to "shut up," we can go somewhere else.

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But there is only one government, and it can take our money and our freedom. All a business can do is refuse to do business with me, causing me to work with someone else. Government can forbid me to do business with anyone at all.

Of course, government never admits it's doing harm. Around the world, when government gets into the censorship business, it claims to be protecting the public. But by punishing those who criticize politicians, it's protecting itself.

That's why it's great the Founders gave America the First Amendment, a ban on government "abridging the freedom of speech."

But I wonder if today's young lawyers would approve the First Amendment if it were up for ratification now.

There is a new commandment at colleges today: "Thou shalt not hurt others with words." Students are told not to offend. At Wake Forest University, for instance, students cannot post any flyers or messages deemed "racist, sexist, profane or derogatory."

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The goal is noble: create a kinder environment. But who gets to decide how much "hurt" is permissible? Recently, a fourth-grade teacher in North Carolina was ordered to attend sensitivity training after teaching students the word "niggardly." When the power to censor lies with the people most easily offended, censorship never stops.

A few years ago, I asked law students at Seton Hall University if there should be restrictions to the First Amendment. Many were eager to ban "hate speech."

"No value comes out of hate speech," said a future lawyer. "We need to regulate flag burning ... and blasphemy," said another. One student wanted to ban political speech by corporations, and another was comfortable imprisoning people who make hunting videos.

Only when I pulled out a copy of the Bill of Rights and slowly wrote in their "exceptions" did one student finally say, "We went too far!"

So does free speech mean that we must endure hateful speech in the public square? No.

I'll fight it by publicly denouncing it, speaking against it, boycotting the speaker. That's what the NBA's employees and customers demanded, and quickly got.

What convinced me that almost all speech should be legal was the book "Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought" by Jonathan Rauch. He explains how knowledge increases through arguments.

Rauch is gay. In an updated afterward to his book, he points out how quickly the world has changed for people like him. Twenty years ago, "gay Americans were forbidden to work for government, to obtain security clearances, serve in the military ... arrested for making love, even in their own homes ... beaten and killed on the streets, entrapped and arrested by police for sport."

This changed in just two decades, he says, because there was open debate. Gay people "had no real political power, only the force of our arguments. But in a society where free exchange is the rule, that was enough."

Fight bigotry with more speech.

John Stossel is host of "Stossel" on the Fox Business Network. He's the author of "No They Can't: Why Government Fails, but Individuals Succeed." To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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bam May 13, 2014 12:54 PM

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anonymous_8341 May 13, 2014 9:32 AM

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Sterling says racist comments that are taken out of context: Fined 2.5M and team taken away from him.

Al Sharpton says racist comments and the liberal media gives him his own show.

Who are the real racists?

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bam May 12, 2014 6:16 PM

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Good luck shelly,but not much chance of it happening.But maybe if reporters were held to a higher standard they would do what they tell you they do.Maybe they could just give all information available and let the individual sort it out?Maybe if politicians were limited in how long they could be in office they would work for the public instead of special interests?Maybe the President should appoint people from the opposing party to Cabinet positions,thereby taking some of the partisan attacks away?

Any chance?

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slshelly May 12, 2014 4:45 PM

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Wisdom, I like the idea of a NON-PARTISAN media blitz in the weeks leading up to the election. We should see a blizzard of spots -- some serious themes, some guilt trips, and some funny, cajoling ones -- pushing people to PUT DOWN THE CELL PHONE, GET OFF THE COUCH, SPEND AT LEAST A MEASLY HOUR LOOKING OVER THE ELECTION INFO, AND GET YOUR PATOOT TO THE POLLS. AND THEN HAVE YOURSELVES A PARTY TO CELEBRATE DEMOCRACY IN ACTION!

Of course, none of the networks or news outlets would do this without advertising money to pay for the air time or space. And the LAST thing we need is more partisan stuff from the candidates or parties. So here's something our billionaires (from both sides of the air) could do -- fund a get-out-the-vote campaign directed at the Middle America that hasn't been paticipating.

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bam May 12, 2014 3:58 PM

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Aw,can't you answer a simple question?If Obama had an R behind his name would YOU feel the same way?Simple.

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wisdomjacket May 12, 2014 3:20 PM

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Shelly, so happy to hear my fears were unfounded. Did you ever ask yourself why people get so excited about say, the superbowl, and yet have little if any concern over who will make laws that may effect them very directly? Win or lose on game day, the SB does not effect the price of corn or gas. This is why I preach against the false reality that is America today. Government has so overstepped it's constitutional authority that no one of us really can say what reality is or what it would look like, only what we hope it might be or what we would make it into if we were so empowered. Take the 17th Amend for example. If it were repealed and state legislatures once again had a voice in wash I think you would see a very drastic curtailing of federal power and abuse, unfunded federal mandates being the most prominent issue for starters. How you convince Americans they have a civic responsibility to participate is beyond me. In seems our culture has turned from civic responsibilty to a mind set that govt exists to make me whole and my only responsibility is to ensure govt knows I'm not and demand the govt do something about it. Perhaps in the weeks running up to an election the networks could show very graphic footage of Americans in combat and scenes shot at Arlington and then cut away to a vet in a hospital bed declaring He/She suffered their wounds because of a sense of responsibility to the Republic. The vet would then ask "Do you know your responsibilty and are you ready to do it?". All this in a non-partisan/neutral fashion of course.

To myselfandi: You've warned us twice today and you are of course correct.

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MySelfandI May 12, 2014 2:09 PM

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Don't feed the troll.

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 1:59 PM

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That's how we read all your posts.

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slshelly May 12, 2014 1:49 PM

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[Yawn]

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 1:45 PM

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Shellz, you're thin skinned. You get all huffy anytime someone points out your god is imaginary and feign indignation.

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slshelly May 12, 2014 1:36 PM

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Oh for goodness' sake, wisdom, I merely asked you a question. Who's being thin-skinned here?

Due to an apparent typo, your post was a bit confusing. "He yours girl"??? Did you mean "He's yours, girl," or "He's your girl?" Either way, it seemed odd.

Asking for clarification of a confusing post, and negotiating politely about how one is to be addressed on the forum, does not make one a thin-skinned, rabid, man-hating feminist butch dyke. Sheeesh.

I assume no offense was meant, and assure you none was taken. And for the record, I'd just as soon not be called "girl." Although I gotta confess I've been called a lot worse... ;-)

I like the idea of having a day off to vote. And a lot of media and peer pressure should be exerted to shame the slackers into casting an informed ballot. If we can get this whole country worked up into a frenzy for the Superbowl every year, why can't we get throngs to gather up their friends and family and head down to the polls? Heck, we could make a real party of it.

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 1:29 PM

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You must be really mad at the guy who put a gun to your head and made you click on the link and read my takes. Judging from your body of work to date you've offered nothing but ad homs. Try to up your game or continue to be uninteresting.

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herewegoagain May 12, 2014 1:16 PM

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You first must admit you have a problem,Buzz will never admit to a problem. On tuesday he will remind us of his favorite BUZZ words, ....teabagger,butthurt,hilz,death,sky fairy,racist,homophobe, all in one sentence no matter the topic............get help Buzz, maybe when you get on Obama care you will be able to afford it.

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 12:40 PM

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"Perhaps we should declare a govt holiday and mandate everyone get the day off for the express purpose of casting a ballot"

Excellent idea. However, the GOP is 100% opposed because a large voter turnout means they lose and this is why they make voting as difficult as possible.

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wisdomjacket May 12, 2014 12:22 PM

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Shelly, please don't tell me I have caused some great offense to you by refering to you as "girl", unless of course you are male. The last person I knew to be raked over the coals for useing that word or perhaps it was "gal", the offended party cited the "urban dictionary" as their reference for offense, a very dubious source if you're familiar with it. If you're familiar with Ben Carson you're familiar with his concerns that PC is cutting off dialogue at it's knees. Can we celebrate Stossel's ltr here today for more open dialogue and then have the PC police arrest those whose words don't fit your idea of dialogue? I meant no offense and would caution you to see your dermatologist for a potential "thin-skin" disorder.

As for your other post, I support informed voter turn out. Perhaps we should declare a govt holiday and mandate everyone get the day off for the express purpose of casting a ballot. Makes more sense than Columbus day to me, but hey, what do I know.

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 12:08 PM

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We're getting way off topic here as the deluded magic believers bat back and forth long winded theories of anonymous peeps on the interwebs.

This converstaion is about racist and homophobic Republicans. We're in a new era where previous documented gay intolerance can and will be used against you in the court of public opinion. Christians are the leading cause of gay intolerance and any criticism of their fable is "offensive". Like someone said down thread, Christian had a nice little run of gay intolerance but the party's over.

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slshelly May 12, 2014 11:55 AM

BK may and must accept full credit for what he/ she is posting here. These ramblings serve no real political agenda. They are clearly meant only to offend and thereby attract attention. We may safely dismiss them.

As for your speculations into the poster's psychology, that's a pretty dangerous thing to do on an online forum. You may well be right about the PTSD, in which case I hope BK gets the help he or she needs. But speaking for myself, since I know nothing whatsoever about BK except what appears here, I figure just about anything's possible. Simple stupidity. Arrested development. Adolescent angst. Sheer meanness with no constructive outlet. Or just a twisted sense of fun....

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slshelly May 12, 2014 11:44 AM

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You're right, wisdomjacket -- as long as we remain lined up on the far edges of opposite sides shouting snark and venom at each other, we won't be able to address the very real and frightening issues we face. But I want to believe that it won't take a "total collapse" (of the economy, of law and order, or of civil society) to bring us to our senses. We're going to be getting some serious "jolts" in the near future, and I hope to God enough of us can stand up and say "Enough!" It may soon be time for massive (peaceful) demonstrations in the streets. Maybe a campaign of targeted strikes and recall elections. Maybe a million-person march on Washington for sanity. I honestly don't know right now.

But for starters, it sure would be nice to see a voter turnout of over 50% in the elections next November. Geez, as long as the majority of eligible voters can't even be bothered to fill in a ballot, our "democratic republic" is pretty much a farce.

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 11:13 AM

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The Clinton surplus had us on a path to debt reduction then came the age of darkness ending the 2008 economic collapse. Add two wars on the credit card and Bushcare and viola, your $17T in the hole. The problem is conservative makes nurse pay more than billionaire so the bills just keep piling up.

The bright side in all this is the average age of conservative is casket. So we got that going for us.

It looks like I'm still persona non grata with team teabag. I'm crushed.

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MySelfandI May 12, 2014 11:10 AM

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Don't feed the troll.

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wisdomjacket May 12, 2014 11:04 AM

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One last thing Shelly, I noted yesterday re Benghazi merchandising you ended your post with "Fun is fun, this isn't fun anymore" or words to that effect. And you were right, welcome to my world. 17 trillion dollars of debt and no substanative plan on how to reduce/eliminate it in sight from either side of the aisle and no American willing to have the discussion lest their bull get gored. No it isn't funny anymore. A total collapse where human nature takes it's course and reclaims its authority over smoke & mirrors and make believe will be the only thing that will inject true urgency into the discussion. I don't look forward to it or hope for it. But when the clouds open up and you get 6 inches of rain in an hour there's not much either political philosophy can do to stem the flood. Only when the waters recede and people have an opportunity to see what they themselves have wrought will there be serious discussion.

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wisdomjacket May 12, 2014 10:33 AM

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slshelly

May 12, 2014 7:35AM

To my own surprise I find myself agreeing with newday that, this time at least, Stossel has got it right.

I also agree with newday that a certain poster here does much more harm than good to the progressive causes he claims to espouse. In fact, I strongly suspect that "BK" is a front for someone who is out to make "Liberals" look as stupid and offensive as possible. Maybe he or she is an ultra-conservative. Or just an obnoxious adolescent who likes to push people's buttons. Whatever the explanation, it does get right tiresome.

I'm suprised you think this is a rarity for Stossel as the guy is an avowed Libertarian. Remove govt from the equation and you & he should find lots of common ground. I must admit your thoughts regarding BK's potential false flag operation is intriqueing and one I have often considered myself. But niether of us wants to admit that anyone in our ranks could be so vile as to use such vitrial to advance a political ideology. So, I say follow the evidence and regretably he yours girl to deal with, you own him/her/it.

As for newday's suggestion, I think someone should have one of those people from the psycho community review BK's post for PTSD. I'm thinking BK has suffered some great setback in life and blames corporate America for it so now he/she allies themself with whoever will extract the greatest amount of vengence on his/her behalf. He/she is convinced govt can suck all the wealth out of America and America will continue to go on as before. Only a collapse of the house of cards will convince him/her and others that private enterprise makes govt possible.

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herewegoagain May 12, 2014 9:01 AM

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Buzz, what fuels your hate? We need to help Buzz, not pity him. Maybe we could have a Buzz-a- thon and raise money to get him the help he needs to overcome his affliction of hate and predjudice. What does everyone think?

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bam May 12, 2014 8:43 AM

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Love a Gay but HATE those that pray,right buzzy?

Now answer the simple question,or risk looking ever more foolish.(If that could be possible! LOL. )

I don't think buzzy has put together that BK is BuzzKillington,shelly.

But he most certainly is a troll today,take a look at all his posts just this morning.And most say he is sitting around waiting on his next handout!

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 8:01 AM

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Look, we understand you like your gay slaying god and you can still play with it. Just do it over in the corner with your elderly peers. Unfortunately your gay intolerance will no longer be tolerated no matter how many alligator tears you shed. Your fairy tale is just as stupid as their fairy tale.

Teabagger is just a low info corporate shill.

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eino May 12, 2014 7:47 AM

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BuzzKillington

May 12, 2014 6:00AM

Your intolerance is no longer tolerated. Stop whining that you can't hate gays with the bravado of the last century. Look, you can still huddle with your co-religionist at the fringes of society and hate gays. You just need to keep it quit like cowards.

BK ...

How about your Islamaphobia ... how your Christophobia ... how about your constant reviling of the conservative right-wing ... how about it ... ??? ...

You have no tolerance for 75% of the USA and the world's population ... you have unreserved hatred toward whole political parties, countries and continents ... you are constantly whining and bashing 7 out of 31,000 verses in the Holy Bible (not to mention the Koran) ... there is no end to your intolerance ... ??? ...

Only in America can one leave a paper trail like that ... only in America

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 7:43 AM

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Shellz it's naive to think you're going to reason with teabagger. Of course you also have delusional belief in magic so it's not surprising it spills into other areas.

You can't reason teabagger out of a position they didn't reason themself into. Theirs is an emotional response driven by fear and ignorance.

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slshelly May 12, 2014 7:35 AM

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To my own surprise I find myself agreeing with newday that, this time at least, Stossel has got it right.

I also agree with newday that a certain poster here does much more harm than good to the progressive causes he claims to espouse. In fact, I strongly suspect that "BK" is a front for someone who is out to make "Liberals" look as stupid and offensive as possible. Maybe he or she is an ultra-conservative. Or just an obnoxious adolescent who likes to push people's buttons. Whatever the explanation, it does get right tiresome.

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anonymous May 12, 2014 6:42 AM

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There's as much hate within the comments herein than the article. We got a guy here that seems to hate on top of hate for some reason...can feel it in the remarks. Lol....I'm not so sure hate is relevant but man o man we got some feathers ruffled. For nothing....I gotta laugh.

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bam May 12, 2014 6:35 AM

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The only "group" worth hate are those to ignorant to learn!

Does anyone on this blog fit that dynamic?

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bam May 12, 2014 6:34 AM

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"If your a proponent of hate it will be a dealbreaker" Buzzkillington

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herewegoagain May 12, 2014 6:32 AM

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some of you Left and Far Right leaning Clowns won't agree but the above Article hits it home.

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herewegoagain May 12, 2014 6:19 AM

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I don't hate Gays Buzz, I wish people like you would go away and stop defending us, because all you and your kind do is make it worse, so more hate us, When you think you help,you don't, your just as bad as those who openly hate,maybe even worse. Walk a day in my shoes or let me fight for myself. Last time I will mention my Orientation in this forum.

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 6:00 AM

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Your intolerance is no longer tolerated. Stop whining that you can't hate gays with the bravado of the last century. Look, you can still huddle with your co-religionist at the fringes of society and hate gays. You just need to keep it quit like cowards.

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herewegoagain May 12, 2014 5:57 AM

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Time to turn the other cheek Buzz, if the Christians and God are dead, why must you continue to spew your hate filled rhetoric on daily basis? Maybe your trying to convince yourself its true?

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BuzzKillington May 12, 2014 5:18 AM

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It's good to see the Christian gay hate is a loser and career killer. If you're on record as being a proponent of hate it will be a dealbreaker. Not in the near future but today. You had a nice gay hate run Christians, but the party is over. Let's cross our fingers this triggers the rapture.

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